Right now is Ash Wednesday, marking the primary day of Lent and for a lot of Christians meaning abstaining from meat. Since many individuals might be trying to change up their menu till Lent ends on April 3, now is a good time to embrace cooking fish and seafood. In the course of the pandemic, People have already began looking for extra seafood to make at dwelling. Whereas we used to devour fish primarily in eating places, with many locations closed or at restricted capability, folks have taken to cooking up all the pieces from salmon and scallops to a complete fish of their dwelling kitchens.
If you happen to’re new to purchasing fish, worry not — with a bit of little bit of an adventurous spirit and a few recommendation out of your native grocer or fishmonger, you will be cooking up some tasty meatless dishes very quickly.
Whereas it is nice to go to an area fish market to your dinner, you can too get good seafood from the grocery store. Begin a dialog with the shop worker who might be comfortable to direct you to one of the best fillets and may normally present recommendation on how one can finest put together your fish earlier than cooking.
“If you happen to’re getting a complete fish have a look at the eyes — they need to be clear and clear,” Aaron Thebault, government chef at Zeppelin in Nashville, Tennessee advised TODAY Meals. “For fillets, be certain there is no such thing as a discoloration. I all the time suggest speaking to the fishmonger or counter attendant to be taught extra in regards to the fish and its freshness. I all the time suggest staying away from pre-packaged fish.”
If you happen to do purchase frozen fish, simply be certain there aren’t any ice crystals as this can be a giveaway that the fish has been refrozen, making it harmful to devour.
Methods to cook dinner fish at dwelling
Listed below are a number of frequent strategies for cooking fish:
Baked within the oven
Whereas you will get into extra difficult recipes, most fish is ideal when ready merely with some salt and pepper for seasoning, baked within the oven at 450 F for 10 minutes per inch of thickness and completed with a squeeze of lemon.
Pan-frying
Frying your fish in a pan on the stovetop leads to a crispy, tender fish that is scrumptious. Fillets, shrimp and scallops are nice cooked this fashion. It’s also possible to attempt breading your fish by dipping it into an egg combination adopted by breadcrumbs earlier than frying.

Quentin Bacon
On the grill
Thicker cuts of fish comparable to tuna, salmon or swordfish go nice on the grill. Keep in mind to brush the grill with oil first to forestall sticking.
New to cooking fish? Begin right here
“I grew up Catholic, so I am very aware of consuming fish throughout Lent,” stated Thebault. “I might suggest beginning with both shellfish, whitefish or snapper. Shellfish like mussels and clams are each simple to cook dinner by steaming and enjoyable, since you see them open, and you’ll all the time add pasta to them or use the scrumptious broth to dip bread in. Each whitefish and snapper are comparatively forgiving and might be pan fried, pan seared or deep fried.”
“I feel lots of people are scared to cook dinner seafood, but it surely’s nothing to be afraid of,” stated Thebault. “Good air flow goes a great distance, and do not be afraid to get the pan scorching. If you happen to’re searing, do not use an excessive amount of oil or you’ll fry the fish.”
Chef Thebault’s Easy Fish Recipe
Season either side of a whitefish or snapper with salt and pepper. Warmth a saute pan or seasoned forged iron skillet on excessive warmth. Place the fillet within the pan and punctiliously flip the fillet as soon as the fish is golden. After the fish is completed, add a squeeze of lemon to brighten it up. Create a pan sauce by including butter, scallions and white wine. Prime with chopped parsley.
Salt and pepper to style
1 tbs of chopped parsley
1 shallot minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 tbs butter
Half lemon
4 extra seafood and fish recipes for Lent
Keep in mind, a seafood meal does not must be fancy. There are many fish recipes that you could make forward of time if you happen to meal prep. You’ll be able to even attempt making kid-friendly dishes like selfmade fish sticks.
Listed below are some extra easy but extraordinarily tasty recipes you possibly can attempt throughout Lent and past.

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Zucchini noodles and lemon zest give this dish a vibrant, wholesome twist.

Nathan Congleton / TODAY
This 5-ingredient dish is easy to place collectively and excessive on taste.

Matty Matheson
Get the children concerned in making these they usually’ll favor them to the store-bought sort.

Mackenzie Anne Smith
The key ingredient to this scrumptious dish is an orange peel. Make it with sea bass, cod or haddock and serve with a lime wedge for stunning presentation.